Former President Donald Trump is reportedly considering biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy as a possible vice-presidential pick for the 2024 race.
This revelation follows a series of praises Trump directed at the 38-year-old during an interview with Blaze TV’s Glenn Beck.
Ramaswamy, who has been rising in popularity in Republican circles, garnered attention for dubbing Trump “the best president of the 21st century” during a GOP primary debate. Ramaswamy has positioned his campaign as an extension of Trump’s policies, aiming to elevate them to “the next level.”
He has also defended Trump against the four indictments brought against him, even promising a potential pardon for the former president should he secure the office.
Trump described Ramaswamy as a “smart guy” with “a lot of talent,” indicating that he views him as a strong contender in some capacity for the upcoming election. “He’s got good energy, and he could be in some form of a role. I think he has distinguished himself,” Trump said.
However, despite the accolades, Trump voiced concerns over some of Ramaswamy’s recent comments on international policy matters, including his stances on Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine. The former president advised Ramaswamy to tread cautiously, hinting that restraint might be needed in certain areas.
Ramaswamy also made headlines recently for likening remarks by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) to those of the KKK, drawing criticism from various quarters.
Current polls from RealClearPolitics show Trump leading the 2024 GOP race with 53.6%. Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis follows with 13.5%, and Ramaswamy holds 7.3%.
While Trump has not made a definitive announcement about his running mate, recent developments suggest that Ramaswamy is a potential contender for the ticket.